Casa Palacio de los Briones Tourist Office
A 16th-century palace hotel in Carmona, offering historic charm with grand architecture, but requiring significant renovation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Casa Palacio de los Briones Tourist Office
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 16th-century palace hotel in Carmona, offering historic charm with grand architecture, but requiring significant renovation.
"The palace is very nice and has a grandeur to it, but it requires some serious renovation."
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking is tough! Try parking outside the narrow streets and walking to ease stress.
🛠️ Manage Expectations
It's a historic palace, not a modern luxury hotel. Expect charm but also potential maintenance needs.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grand Stairway & Courtyard
Central Courtyard
Admire the impressive architecture, wide patios, and a charming labyrinth of rooms. A true glimpse into historical grandeur.
Historic Lounging Rooms
Various Sitting Rooms
Relax on big old couches surrounded by lovely paintings in rooms that exude old-world charm and character.
Palace Facade
Exterior View
The 16th-century palace building itself is beautiful and offers a picturesque view, hinting at its past glory.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for a Palace with Personality
Navigating Carmona's Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking is tough! Try parking outside the narrow streets and walking to ease stress.
🛠️ Manage Expectations
It's a historic palace, not a modern luxury hotel. Expect charm but also potential maintenance needs.
💧 Check Amenities
Some guests reported issues with water or Wi-Fi. Inquire about these beforehand if they are crucial for your stay.
🍽️ Dining Options
The hotel restaurant can be pricey. Consider exploring Carmona's local eateries for more variety and value.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking is tough! Try parking outside the narrow streets and walking to ease stress.
🛠️ Manage Expectations
It's a historic palace, not a modern luxury hotel. Expect charm but also potential maintenance needs.
💧 Check Amenities
Some guests reported issues with water or Wi-Fi. Inquire about these beforehand if they are crucial for your stay.
🍽️ Dining Options
The hotel restaurant can be pricey. Consider exploring Carmona's local eateries for more variety and value.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Casa Palacio de los Briones offers a stay in a beautiful 16th-century palace with significant historical charm. Guests appreciate the grand architecture, courtyards, and unique ambiance. However, many reviews point to a need for substantial renovation, with reports of maintenance issues, insects, and inconsistent service, leading to a perception of faded glory rather than modern luxury.
"Very unpleasant experience!! Was so looking forward to visit the “inviting” palace in the beautiful Carmona village.
BUT…. Crawling insects everywhere…. and no water in the room! We woke up and had to wait 3 hrs to shower! So far from the “luxury hotel” experience that was promised! Too bad, as the palace is very nice and has a grandeur to it, but it requires some serious renovation. I will always remember it as a “false advertising” case, and as a joke😁 we shared with the kids"
Natalie Dimitriadi
"Difficult to drive to (Google maps direct you to painfully narrow roads even in a small car was stressful!). Overall the room we stayed (no. 24) was very run down and tired. Cracks in walls and ceilings, furniture need repair. Old power socket holes in the wall, not sure if they are still live. TV remote missing and could not be found. Staff simply said 'keep looking and eventually you will find'. Bathroom had an unbelievable stench and also made it difficult to sleep. We decide to cut our losses and cut our stay short. As we expected we could not cancel our second night. Owner dishonest as he said could not cancel on booking dot com but now see the room available on the site!
Also, the hotel restaurant menu is very expensive and was completely empty on the Friday night so we went elsewhere."
Greg Wright
"The building is beautiful with a grand stairway, wide patios, a lovely courtyard and a labyrinth of patios and sitting rooms. The place was apparently renovated in 1991 including developing some great marketing material. I think that was its heyday. It seems that there has been little maintenance since! The facility is in great need of significant renovation. Old ripped sheets on the bed. Peeling paint on the ceiling. The room WIFI did not work and the staff said, “oh the building is old”.
Parking in town is impossible. The staff is limited and sometimes grumpy.
Has the potential to be a great place, but needs TLC."
todd farris
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Driving can be challenging due to narrow streets. Google Maps might direct you to stressful routes. It's often recommended to park in a more accessible area of Carmona and walk to the palace.
On-site parking is very limited and often difficult to access due to the historic town's narrow roads.
Yes, parking a bit further out and walking is a common strategy to avoid the stress of navigating the tight streets directly to the palace.
It's advisable to research parking options in Carmona before arriving and potentially use a GPS that prioritizes wider roads, or be prepared for a potentially stressful drive.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Casa Palacio de los Briones primarily operates as a hotel. If you are not staying there, access to explore the palace may be limited or require specific arrangements, as it's not a typical public tourist attraction with entry fees.
As it's a hotel, there are no set 'opening hours' for general visitors. Access is typically for guests. If you wish to see the palace without staying, it's best to contact them directly to inquire about possibilities.
There isn't a standard entrance fee for the palace as it functions as a hotel. Any charges would likely be associated with accommodation or specific tours if offered.
This is not guaranteed. Some historic hotels allow brief visits to common areas, but it's essential to confirm with the management beforehand.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The palace exudes old-world charm and historical grandeur, with beautiful architecture and a unique ambiance. However, some guests note it feels like it has 'faded glory' and is in need of renovation.
Yes, it's described as an upmarket hotel offering an outdoor pool, a polished restaurant, and a bar.
Rooms vary, but some guests have reported them as run-down and tired, with issues like cracks in walls, peeling paint, and old furniture needing repair.
Some guests have experienced issues with Wi-Fi not working, with staff attributing it to the age of the building.
Staff experiences vary. Some guests found them unhelpful or grumpy, while others noted they were often stretched thin due to limited numbers.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The hotel restaurant is described as polished but expensive. Some guests found the menu lacking choices or completely empty on certain nights, opting to dine elsewhere in Carmona.
Carmona offers various local eateries. Exploring the town is recommended for more dining variety and potentially better value than the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast is available but noted as very expensive by some guests.
Information on specific dietary options is limited, but given the feedback on menu choices, it's advisable to inquire directly.
📸 📸 Photography
The grand stairway, wide patios, lovely courtyard, and the various lounging rooms with their paintings offer excellent photographic opportunities. The palace facade is also picturesque.
While the architecture is stunning, the condition of some areas might require careful framing. The ambiance of the historic rooms is great for atmospheric shots.
Mornings or late afternoons can offer softer light, enhancing the historic charm of the palace and its courtyards.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If you do choose to stay, focus on the historical aspects and the unique atmosphere. The courtyards and lounging rooms might offer some space for exploration. However, it's crucial to manage expectations regarding the 'luxury' aspect and be prepared for potential inconveniences. Consider packing essentials and snacks, as the hotel restaurant is noted as expensive and sometimes lacking options.
💰 Budget Travelers
For budget-conscious travelers, it would be advisable to look for accommodation elsewhere in Carmona and visit the palace area for its historical charm without necessarily staying overnight. Exploring the town's local eateries will likely offer more affordable and varied dining options compared to the hotel's offerings.
couples
However, it's important to approach the stay with realistic expectations. While the palace has grandeur, some guests have noted it's in need of renovation. Couples who appreciate history and are looking for a less conventional, character-filled stay might find it charming. Be prepared for potential quirks and consider dining in Carmona for a wider range of culinary experiences.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Palace's Faded Glory: A Traveler's Perspective
However, a recurring theme in reviews is that the palace appears to be in a state of 'faded glory.' While renovated in 1991, many guests feel there has been little maintenance since, leading to issues like cracks in walls and ceilings, worn furniture, and peeling paint. Some have encountered unpleasant surprises such as crawling insects and lack of water. This has led to a perception of 'false advertising' for those expecting a pristine luxury experience.
Despite these drawbacks, the inherent beauty of the palace structure remains. The potential for a truly magnificent stay is evident, but it requires significant renovation and consistent upkeep to match the expectations set by its historical stature and marketing. Travelers who appreciate history and are prepared for a less-than-perfect modern experience might still find charm here, but those seeking flawless luxury should proceed with caution.
Navigating Carmona: Parking and Access Challenges
The difficulty in driving directly to the palace often means that finding parking is a major hurdle. Guests are frequently advised to park in areas outside the immediate, narrow streets of the old town and then walk to their destination. This strategy can alleviate some of the driving stress, but it adds an extra layer of planning and effort to the arrival process.
For future visitors, it's recommended to research parking options in Carmona beforehand. Consider using a GPS that allows for route preferences (e.g., avoiding narrow roads) or be prepared for a potentially challenging but ultimately rewarding drive into a historic setting. The charm of Carmona and its palaces is undeniable, but the access requires a degree of patience and preparation.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit